Mount Abu Sanctuary proposal sparks row

Jaipur, Nov 15 (UNI) A non-governmental organisation, People For Animals (PFA) has criticised the public protests triggered by Rajasthan government's proposed notification for declaring Mount Abu a wildlife sanctuary.

The protests were sparked off after a notification issued by Sirohi Collector S K Mittal on October 4, inviting objections to the proposal for declaring the state's only hill station a protected area.

PFA's state chief Babulal Jaju said this move would conserve the wildlife in the mountainous region and also help to stop the mushrooming of hotels and the construction of new buildings in the area adding that the move is aimed to ultimately save the serene, picturesque hill station.

The land mafia and the hoteliers, are opposing the proposal, as they would be most hit, he said.

However, the traders and hoteliers say the move would hurt the place's economy as tourists would now have to pay extra taxes to enter a wildlife protected area.

Mr Jaju counters that if steps are not taken to stop the town from turning into a concrete jungle, the place would soon turn into a desert as the place is receiving less and less rainfall each year.

However, Mr Mittal said such protests would not be of any use as anybody who has objections can come and discuss the issue openly with the concerned government official.

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